University of North Texas Athletics
Softball Heads To Miami To Play FIU In Conference Series
4/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Miami, FL (3/31/10) - The North Texas softball team is headed to Miami, Fla. this weekend to face FIU in a three-game conference series. The Golden Panthers have moved the doubleheader to Friday, with the first game getting started at 4 p.m. central time. The third game is set for Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m., central time.
The Mean Green (13-9, 3-3 Sun Belt) is looking to pick up some more Sun Belt wins after going 1-2 against FAU last week. FIU (21-11, 4-2) is currently third in the Sun Belt rankings behind Louisiana-Lafayette and Troy.
The Golden Panthers defeated the Mean Green in the conference tournament last year, 8-0, and took two out of three in the conference series. FIU has won the last two conference series. North Texas took two of out of three during the 2007 season. FIU leads the series, 18-4.
The NCAA released its latest national rankings for softball, and the Mean Green is listed in a few categories. As a team, North Texas is ranked 21st in home runs per game at 1.21. The Mean Green has hit 29 long balls this year. Individually, Lisa Johnson is ranked 53rd in home runs per game (.29) and 51st in slugging percentage (.761). She leads the Mean Green with seven. She is also ranked 33rd in walks. She leads the team with 18 bases on balls. Mariza Martinez is ranked 58th in doubles per game (.33). She leads the team with eight.
In her last five appearances, pitcher Ashley Lail has picked up four wins and improved her overall record to 7-3. She picked up wins this past week against UTA and FAU. She pitched a two-hitter against UTA and then allowed two earned runs in a win against FAU. She leads the Mean Green with seven wins and a 2.23 ERA.
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